Many employed Bar organisations don't know that they can offer pupillage. There is a misconception that pupillage must be completed within chambers.
Some of these organisations train both barristers and solicitors. Larger organisations can ‘rotate’ supervision during the training period to expose pupils to different areas of the law and legal practice. Smaller organisations have found commercial benefit in establishing their own in-house counsel.
How to apply
You will need an active MyBar account to apply for authorisation. If you do not have access, you can arrange for an account to be set up by contacting the Authorisations Team. Guidance is available in the portal to help you to understand the evidence to submit with an application. See our Apply to be a pupillage provider page for more information.
Pupil supervisors in the employed Bar
Organisations within the employed Bar must ensure that they are able to meet the requirements for supervising pupils, as set out in Part 4B of the Bar Qualification Manual. Supervisors must normally be practising barristers. We understand that not all law firms and legal practices have in-house counsel. If that’s the case for your organisation but you are interested in training pupils, please do contact us to discuss your options.
Pupil supervisors in the employed Bar are not limited to taking one pupil at a time. We can allow greater flexibility and bespoke supervision arrangements, subject to the authorisation process.
The application form
The application form and associated questions assess whether an organisation can deliver a training programme which meets:
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The four principles (Flexibility, Accessibility, Affordability and High Standards) of the Authorisation Framework and
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Outcomes for each component of Bar training, as found in the Curriculum and Assessment Strategy (pages 25 to 34 relate to work-based learning).
As such, the form is comprehensive and sections can be completed in isolation, allowing applicants to save their answers without completing the whole questionnaire in one ‘sitting’. Ensure that your answers demonstrate how you intend to meet the criteria and what documentation/toolkit you will use.
You can upload relevant documents to support your application.
If the assessing officer needs further information or clarification, they will contact you directly.
Factors which may impact a decision
As a regulator, we have a duty to protect public interests and to consider any information which may pose a risk to the public. It is essential, therefore, that training providers can deliver pupillage to the required standard and that newly qualified barristers are competent to enter practice. During the assessment, we may become aware of historic disciplinary matters and need to discuss this with you before taking a decision.
If you wish to raise any concerns you have about your suitability to provide pupillage, contact us before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Read our frequently asked questions about why you should consider offering pupillage, becoming an AETO, advertising pupillages and more. You can also read our How to manage pupillage page for more information.
